Although they didn’t come away with any state gold, The Bishop’s School girls volleyball team made a great run through the recent playoffs.
Bishop’s reached the state playoffs after falling to Santa Fe Christian (eventual state champion) in the CIF Division IV championship by scores of 25-22, 18-25, 25-17, 18-25, 10-15. Ina Kamenova led Bishop’s in that match with 16 kills. It would be the first of two meetings between the Coastal League foes (see below).
In the first round of the state playoffs, Bishop’s defeated Elizabeth (Cudahy) in three straight, 25-8, 25-11, 25-22.
Bishop’s was led by Thea Derrough (11 kills), Carly Bollert (nine), Kristen Casey (eight) and Jacqueline Rhodes (six). Brittany Allen and Julie Gantz added six and four aces, respectively.
The Lady Knights prevailed in the next round with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-22 victory over Village Christian (Sun Valley).
Alex Pell played strong defense, leading the way with 12 digs in addition to scoring numerous points off her serve. The kill leaders were Bollert with nine and Kamenova with eight. Gantz tallied 18 assists and Kamenova added 17.
In action last Tuesday, Bishop’s earned a rematch with Santa Fe Christian in the state semifinals.
As it did in the CIFs, Bishop’s went up 2-1 in games, but could not hold the lead, falling 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 12-25, 7-15.
Kamenova had 14 kills, five aces, and 21 assists to pace the Lady Knights. Gantz added three aces and 27 assists, while Bollert had 10 kills and 19 digs.
Despite the loss, Bishop’s turned in a stellar season with a record of 24-10.
Elsewhere, La Jolla High was eliminated in the first round of state play by top-seeded Harvard-Westlake, which went on to win the regional and state crowns.
After defeating San Dieguito Academy in the semis of CIFs, La Jolla fell to Cathedral in the CIF championship.